All-Star Game memories: 1981

Aug. 9, 1981 National League 5, American League 4 Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland This All-Star Game literally came between the first and second half of the baseball season. There was a players’ strike from June 12 to July 31, so baseball decided to have a first half and second half of the season. So this game was the kickoff to the second half of the season. Pittsburgh’s Dave Parker hit a solo homer in the fifth inning off the the A’s Mike Norris to give the National League a 2-1 lead. But the American League pushed across three runs in the sixth against the Dodgers’ Burt Hooton

Aug. 9, 1981
National League 5, American League 4
Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland

This All-Star Game literally came between the first and second half of the baseball season.

There was a players’ strike from June 12 to July 31, so baseball decided to have a first half and second half of the season.

So this game was the kickoff to the second half of the season.

Pittsburgh’s Dave Parker hit a solo homer in the fifth inning off the the A’s Mike Norris to give the National League a 2-1 lead.

But the American League pushed across three runs in the sixth against the Dodgers’ Burt Hooton. The Angels’ Fred Lynn singled home the Orioles’ Ken Singleton, Texas’ Buddy Bell hit a sacrifice fly and the Brewers’ Ted Simmons had a single that scored Carlton Fisk of the White Sox.

But that 4-2 lead didn’t last. The Expos’ Gary Carter hit his second homer of the game in the seventh inning and the Phillies’ Mike Schmidt hit a two-run homer against the Brewers’ Rollie Fingers.

The Royals’ George Brett, who received the most votes and was a starter for the American League, grounded out in the first inning and struck out in the third and fifth innings. Frank White came on as a pinch runner in the sixth inning and stayed in the game. He grounded out in the ninth inning against the Cardinals’ Bruce Sutter, who got the save. Fingers took the loss and the Astros’ Nolan Ryan was the winning pitcher.

Carter was the game’s MVP. The Royals’ Jim Frey was the American League manager.